How Does Vitamin C Benefit The Skin?
Vitamin C is a super antioxidant which is vital for a healthy immune system, radiant skin and blemish healing. Citrus fruits, like oranges, limes and grapefruits, are good sources, as are kiwi fruits, sweet potatoes and strawberries. Yet when Vitamin C is ingested little of it reaches the skin. However applying Vitamin C topically to the skin can enhance its effectiveness.
Throughout history the power of Vitamin C has been well-documented. In Tibet during the Tang Dynasty (618-907AD) women who wanted to fight the outwards signs of ageing would rub sea-buckthorn on their hands and face, the berry of the plant yields a deep-coloured oil which is a major source of Vitamin C. Centuries ago Native Americans also made a Vitamin-C rich paste out of rose petals to moisten and heal their skin.
Nowadays, Vitamin C is common component of many skincare products due to its potent rejuvenating properties. Vitamin C is an essential component of the body’s collagen and it can help rejuvenate photo-damaged and aged skin. As you age your Vitamin C levels drop, so replenishing your stocks can help to combat collagen degradation and oxidative stress. Clinical studies have shown that applying Vitamin C topically promotes collagen formation, neutralises free radicals and helps to maintain firm, youthful skin. Overexposure to UV rays and environmental aggressors, like pollution, triggers the products of free radicals, highly unstable molecules which damage and degrade collagen. Collagen is a structural support protein which is essential for firm, youthful skin and topical Vitamin C application is one of the most effective ways to boost collagen synthesis and slow its degradation.
Although nutritional supplements are important for overall health, they are not very effective at increasing skin concentrations of Vitamin C. Topical applications are antioxidants are much more effective, in fact topical vitamin C has been shown to be 20 times more effective than oral ingestion. It also known that after a topical antioxidant has been absorbed into the skin it cannot be washed off, so even after stopping application significant amounts of vitamin C will remain in the skin.
If you want to start including more Vitamin C in your skincare then look for products which contain Vitamin C, ascorbic acid or L-ascorbic acid. Our NAC Y2 formula contains Ascorbyl Phosphate, the most potent derivative of Vitamin C, to help fight free radicals, promote collagen production and help even out and brighten the complexion.
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